Instead, opener Latham went to stumps unbeaten on 137 and with his side 292 for five, on a day for the purists.

Deciding to bowl was an interesting call, although it paid early dividends. Former Black Caps Rob Nicol and Dean Brownlie barely bothered the scorers and the loss of the in-form Latham would've more than justified the bowling option.

Unfortunately Franklin couldn't hold a Mark Gillespie-generated nick at third slip, when Latham was on two.

More frustration followed, when Franklin bowled Latham on 62, with the first ball after lunch.